I Love Dialogue from Something New

Austin Templeton stars in a Doctor Who-esque show called The Magician. He's got a new co-star, Liat Fogelberg, in whom he is quite interested. He didn't, however, get along with the director. Since the director was causing trouble for everyone on set, he was unceremoniously fired. He's now making noises about suing the network, and Austin, for defamation. After this announcement, Austin and his assistant, Dwight, are summoned to see The God of the Network—Gordon Oliver Desmond Vogel, God for short—Liat's father.

"Gordon. Or God, your choice." He winked. "You," he pointed at Dwight. "Can you type?"

"Hundred words a minute." He wiggled his fingers rapidly.

"Excellent. Sam-u-el!"

"You bellowed, God?" The older man appeared once more, hands folded in front of him.

"Have we anything to type upon?"

"Only a top of the line laptop in your office, sir. Shall I fetch it for you, dah-ling?"

"Bastard," Gordon chuckled. "Please. And we could use your help, old thing."

"Already on it," the older man said. "One moment."

He scurried off and came back with a very fancy laptop that looked as if it had been custom built. He handed it to Dwight. They got it up and running seconds later. Samuel showed him the word processing program and settled back with his feet up.

"Designed that program myself. It does everything but wipe your bum. I'll send you a copy. It's the only way to keep his nibs on time." He pointed to Gordon.

"Are you the butler?" Dwight asked.

"Sometimes. I think the last one quit, he hasn't been in for several days. So I fill in. I'll hire someone next week." He shrugged. "Now, what can we do for you, Gordy?"

"Interview prep."

The old man nodded, steepling his fingers. He started dictating to Dwight, who kept up remarkably well. They became so engrossed in their conversation, they ignored everyone else. The others moved closer together, leaving them to work. Austin couldn't help overhearing things, but he chose to ignore most of the running commentary, trying to concentrate on Liat and her parents.

"Can't show his bare bum on network TV," Samuel muttered. "Best he keeps his pants on."

"Excuse me?" Austin stood. "I'm not taking down my trousers to please the public. If they want to see my arse, they can watch the program!"

"Of course not," Dwight said. "We just wanted your attention."

"Why didn't you just say Hey, Austin?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Samuel asked, smirking.

"You're as bad as he is," Austin pointed from Dwight to Samuel. "Evil. Both of you."

"That's why I work for God," Samuel replied. "Because I'm Satan. Samuel Alan Thomas Aquinas Nichols."

"Who names their child like that?" Austin asked.

"Rich, bored people with too many people they have to please. To be fair, I added Thomas Aquinas when I took my Confirmation name."

"I've crossed over," Austin decided. "I'm in Limbo or Purgatory waiting to be judged. I've God on one hand and Satan on the other. What am I supposed to do on these talk shows? Other than baring my bum, which isn't happening."

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I Love Dialogue! Something New

I wrote Something New in four days in June. I got an idea and ran with it. Fortunately, the muse was willing and it came easily. I fell in love with Austin. The rest of the characters are also endearing, but I particularly love him. He's an absolute doll.

Austin is an actor on a show that is an Americanized version of Dr. Who, called The Magician. He has a run in with one of the guest directors, a pervy man named Irving. Irv the Perv tries to entice Liat, Austin's new leading lady, to do something unspeakable. Austin intervenes. Irving got fired and is now trying to sue Austin for slander and the network for wrongful termination.

Austin is having lunch with Liat, her mother Elaine (the show's producer) and Dwight, his assistant. They get a call from the God of the Network, and are summoned to the Presence. Austin isn't quite sure what to expect, but it certainly isn't what's waiting for him.

Moments later, a tall, dark haired man with broad shoulders and muscular chest, came to greet them. He trotted down the steps and stopped in front of Elaine, holding out his hands. She took them and he raised her to a standing position. His arms went around her waist, pulling her close, as he kissed her.

"Hello, darling," she said with a smile. "How was Paris?"

"Boring. French." He winked, patting her on the fanny. "You've had some excitement. Hello, Precious." He greeted his daughter with a kiss and hug.

Austin and Dwight stood, waiting anxiously. Liat's father was an intimidating man. He stood over six feet tall. His black hair was shot with silver, his blue eyes penetrating. His voice was a loud and rumbling baritone, laced with a distinctive Oxford accent.

"You've studied Shakespeare," Austin said as he stepped forward.

The man's blue eyes twinkled. "I have indeed, young man. Royal Shakespeare, 1971 through 75. Astute." He shook Austin's hand.

"No one rumbles like a Shakespearian," Austin replied. "Which must make you Gordon Vogel."

"It must, indeed! Gordon Oliver Desmond Vogel, God for short." He turned to his wife, smirking. "You told me he was sharp. Who's your friend?" He held out his hand to Dwight.

"Dwight Wales. He's my personal assistant and good friend."

"Everyone needs those," Gordon said, shaking Dwight's hand. "Friends, I mean. Assistants are a dime a dozen."

"Not good ones," Dwight said confidently. "We go for a dollar a dozen."

Gordon burst out laughing at the silly joke. "I like this one too. Can we keep them, Mummy?" He sounded like a child, directing the comment to his wife. "Sit, everyone. Beverages. Sam-u-el!" He drew out the name like a battle cry.

The windows shook when he called the name. An elderly gentleman in a black suit came to stand by the sunken room.

"You bellowed, sir?"

"Beverages, Samuel. Tea?" He asked the room in general. "Yes, tea. The Oolong."

"As you wish, sir." He bowed, turning his back to the room.

"Great man. Deaf as a post," Gordon muttered.

"I can hear you," Samuel said. "I'm not deaf."

"He's not. I just like yelling. Sit!"

He took a seat beside Elaine, his arm around her shoulders. Liat sat next to Austin, gripping his hand.

"You've been busy. Mummy tells me you've been masquerading as a Fogleberg." He tipped his head, narrowing his eyes, but his smirk gave him away.

"Are you mad?"

"Why ever for? You got the part, didn't you, all on your own merits."

"Yes."

"Then why would I be mad? What's all this crap that's been going on with my network in my city? What's that annoying pimple of a man doing now?"

"He doesn't mean me, does he?" Austin whispered to Liat.

"No, silly. Irving."

"He's saying Austin insulted him and called him names in public," Elaine explained.

"Did you?" he directed at Austin.

"No, sir. Unless he's a mind reader."

"Mind reading," Gordon waved it away, making a rude noise. "Very hard to prove in court. What did you do to make Irving so angry?"

"I took Liat to my trailer." He held up a hand before her father could comment. "I'll rephrase that. Pervy Irv was bothering Liat. Rather than see her karate chop his flabby arse, I took her with me to my trailer. We ate dinner, studied our lines and she went home. He didn't like that I showed him up." He shrugged.

"That's it?"

"I called him sir in a snarky tone and did my best to follow his obtuse directions."

Gordon burst out laughing. His blue eyes twinkled merrily. The tea arrived and Elaine poured, passing the sugar and cream after. Once they served themselves, they went back to their conversation.

"After inappropriate snarkiness, what did you do?" Gordon asked.

Austin thought a moment. "Said my lines, hit my marks and nailed the scene."

"Why is the gimpy cretin saying that Austin called him names? Did you call him names?"

Austin shook his head.

"Why's he saying that?" Gordon persisted.

"I flirted with Liat in front of him."

"Did you kiss her?"

"Later. It was scripted," he hurried to explain. "Pants on, I swear."

"Yes, of course." Gordon couldn't keep a straight face. He understood the young man's distress, but he wasn't angry, simply confused. "Then what's he banging on about?"

"No idea."

"Then this is all just stupid, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

Gordon leaned back, running his hand through his hair. "There are people starving in this city and he's trying to raise a stink over something that never happened?"

"Precisely my point, sir."

"Are you sleeping with my daughter?" Gordon shot at him unexpectedly.

"No, sir. I'm not."

"But you'd like to."

"Don't make me answer that one, please. I'm thirty-two, single and she's gorgeous."

Gordon laughed, nodding. "The same thing I said about her mother thirty-six years ago when I met her. Have you had lunch?"

"Yes," Elaine replied.

"Good. Did we have anything else to discuss to resolve this nonsense?"

"We're opting to let it blow over. Babs is setting up interviews and arranging his schedule with Dwight and Sandy."

"Everyone wants you, kid. How does that make you feel?"

"Terrified. It's like being the tenderest steak in the shop. Everyone wants to grill you and have a bite."

"Couldn't have put it better myself. We'll get you ready, no fear.."

© 2014 Dellani Oakes

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I Love Dialogue AND Sexy Without the Sex! From "Something New"

This excerpt really fell into both categories. I love the dialogue in it, but it's a little hot too. I wrote this book in four days (June 25 - 29, 2014) and I'm quite proud of how it came out. It's a little romance, a little action, a fun read. I fell for the character, Austin. He's just adorable.

Austin is an actor in a sci-fi show, an American attempt at a Doctor Who spin-off. Liat is his current companion. They find themselves greatly attracted to one another, but haven't quite gotten together yet.

Austin dressed in loose fitting jeans and ratty T-shirt. Walking around barefoot, he enjoyed the deep pile carpet. A lunch of Naomi and Dexter's leftovers filled him up. He sipped a single beer and watched Farscape on DVD. He didn't watch much television, but he loved to run marathons of favorite TV shows. He was deep into season one when someone knocked at his door. He paused the show and opened the door.

Liat stood there, grinning. "Mind if I join you?" She also was wearing jeans and a baggy shirt.

"Love for you to. I've been watching John Crichton whilst deciding whether or not to take a nap."

"Can I interest you in something other than a nap?" She tugged his belt loops, pulling him close.

Austin smiled down at her, putting his hands on her waist. "I'd like that. I'd love to hope it involves getting naked."

Liat playfully pushed him away. "I've known you since Thursday."

"So, that's a no."

"That's a be patient."

Holding her waist, he walked backwards toward the couch. He sat down, pulling her down to straddle his lap.

"After all the sights I've shown you. Super novas in the beta quadrant."

"That was just the lightbulb going in one of the lamps."

"Meteor shower in Sol Bea."

"Styrofoam rocks hurled at us from the catwalk."

"Bloody hell, I'm useless."

"Almost entirely," she replied, pushing him back against the couch.

"Well, the question burning in everyone's mind, is this. How much of the last three days may we count as dates?"

She climbed off his lap, sitting close beside him. "Hmm. . . . We can count dinner the first night."

"How about the snogging in my trailer."

"Mm, no."

"But I want to count it."

"Why?"

"Because it was such fun. And now, may we include now?"

"Maybe. Depends upon what you want to do."

"I'm a thirty-two year old man in a room with the most beautiful woman in the world. What do you think I want to do?" He loomed over her, his face mere inches from hers.

"Play Trivial Pursuit?"

"Not even close." He smiled as his lips brushed her cheek.

"We're having dinner with my parents soon."

"And?" He nosed her hair, his tongue tickling her ear.

"And, if we do anything inappropriate—Daddy will know."

He fell back, lying on the couch. "Dammit, that's done it."

"What?"

"The cock block I needed after the first time I kissed you. There it is. Your father will castrate me if I even think of shagging you." He groaned, putting a pillow over his face. He pressed against it as if trying to suffocate himself.

Liat pulled the pillow away, laughing at him. "Daddy won't kill you."

"He'll want to. Believe me. My first girlfriend's father threatened me with a cleaver."

"Why?"

"Thought I was having my way."

"Were you?"

Austin chuckled, pouting saucily. "Yes. He had every right to threaten me. I was being very inappropriate."

"Have you been—inappropriate a lot?"

He shrugged, shaking his head against the couch. "Let's see. I'm thirty-two, been active—a good few years. Maybe ten girls in all that time? About that. Why?"

She wouldn't answer. Austin touched her cheek.

"I'm not like him," he told her. "I don't run about sticking it to every woman I meet. No one night stands, no fly by night affairs. I can't say I've always had the best sense where women are concerned. But I think my taste has improved considerably over the last three days or so."

"You're wickedly charming, you know. Virtually irresistible."

He struggled to a sitting position. "Virtually, not completely?"

"Completely. I didn't want to seem slutty."

"Never."

His lips brushed hers once more, before drifting down her throat. He nibbled her earlobe, licking behind it. His breath was hot, his tongue rough on her soft skin.

Liat shivered, leaning into him, her breasts pressing against his chest temptingly. Austin let his mouth drop to the curve of her shoulder as his hands slid up her sides. Long, lean fingers teased her breasts, not quite touching them. She shivered again as his mouth met hers. She knew she was letting it go too far, but she couldn't seem to find the strength to tell him no. Even thinking about dinner with her parents didn't sufficiently put the brakes on.

It felt so perfect in his arms. He could kiss like no one else she'd ever met and it made her wonder, again, what sex with him would be like. She wanted to know, wanted to grasp his lean hips with both hands and clamp down tight.

"Someone's at the door," Austin gasped when he heard the latch click. "Fuck!"

Dwight stepped in carrying another suit and shirt. He stopped halfway through the door when he saw Austin and Liat. She was on her back on the couch. Austin lay partly on top of her, between her legs. Their clothing was on, but they were obviously well on their way to getting naked.

"Ooops," Dwight said. "I am so sorry! I had no idea. You're the first woman he's had up here," he babbled. "I'm so used to just coming in and out. I live across the hall. . . ."

Liat started laughing. "It's okay, Dwight. We probably shouldn't be doing this anyway."

"But it's such a smashing idea, we were anyway," Austin concluded. "Until you showed up."

"You now have an effective cock block," Dwight replied, smugly. "Imagine me walking in and seeing your lovely ass in the air. See what that does for you." He winked, hung the suit and shirt on the back of the door, and left.

© 2014 Dellani Oakes

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